Like most people who carry concealed, I do so to protect myself and my loved ones. Over the years, I’ve written many posts for Springfield Armory at The WON on the topic of concealed carry. While working on some upcoming articles and listening to the local news about all the pumpkin-flavored food now in stores, I realized the holiday season is just around the corner. Then, while reviewing some previous posts, I discovered something I missed that is especially important to review before the upcoming holiday season: concealed carry while holiday shopping.
Avoidance Tips
Before I even begin discussing the concealed carry aspect, it’s important to remember that the first step to diminish the possibility of becoming a victim is avoidance. Here are some tips to lower your chances:
How to Carry While Holiday Shopping
Before heading out the door on your shopping trip, take into consideration where you are carrying your handgun. Following are the positives and negatives of both on- and off-body carry.
On-body carry positives:
On-body carry negatives:
Off-body carry options:
Off-body carry negatives:
Safety While Shopping
From the time you leave the safety of the home until you are back in your locked house, there is always a chance you may become a victim. Aside from the avoidance tips I offered above, other ways exist to protect yourself while holiday shopping.
We all know it’s best to store packages in your car’s trunk or another place where thieves walking by can’t easily see them. Consider, though, how easily you may leave yourself vulnerable to a bad guy. Before you turn your back to the parking lot, check your surroundings and put away your packages as fast as possible. Then, get into your car quickly.
Once you are in your car, locking the doors may seem like an obvious suggestion. However, with automatic door locks, do you know when they actually lock? Is it when you close the door, put the keys in the ignition or start your car? If you drive different vehicles, is each on the same?
Before you drive away, make sure you have access to your firearm. If it is in a purse, don’t just set it on the passenger seat. Instead, secure it by putting the seatbelt through the handles to keep someone from reaching in to grab it.
Once you pull in your driveway, you are home free … right? Nope! If you are parking in the driveway, look around before leaving your car. Then, retrieve your packages as quickly as possible while maintaining awareness of what is going on around you.
If you park in a garage, make sure to quickly close the garage door once you pull all the way inside. Take into consideration that someone could slip in under the garage door before it closes all the way, so this is not time to let your guard down. Look around and listen once you get out of the car until you are safely in your locked house.
Final Thoughts
I realize that some of this sounds like I am a paranoid person. However, the body won’t go where the mind hasn’t been. Therefore, it’s important to visualize different situations so you have a plan on what to do should that happen. Likewise, regardless of which way you choose to carry it, it’s imperative that you practice both a covert and fast draw.
Check out Springfield Armory’s full line of pistols to find the one that fits your life style here.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
